ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Bills focused on restocking their defense in the NFL draft on Friday, a day after making three trades to back out of the first round.
Buffalo used the 35th selection to pick Clemson linebacker T.J. Parker. The Bills then traded up four spots — sending the No. 182 pick to Denver — to select Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun at No. 62.
At 6-foot-3 and 263 pounds, Parker was a three-year defensive linemen for
the Tigers and will make the switch to outside linebacker on a Bills defense switching to a 3-4 scheme this season.
Igbinosun was a three-year starter at Ohio State, after transferring from Mississippi. He had four interceptions and 22 pass breakups in 56 games with the Buckeyes. He was also a member of Ohio State’s 2024 national championship team.
The additions come with the Bills in transition, with offensive coordinator Joe Brady promoted in January after Sean McDermott was fired following nine seasons. While much of the Josh Allen-led offense returns intact, Buffalo’s defense is transitioning under new coordinator Jim Leonhard.
Though it’s unclear yet how the Bills plan to differentiate their edge rushers and outside linebackers, Parker will have a chance to rotate into the lineup behind Greg Rousseau and free-agent addition Bradley Chubb.
Parker is regarded as a hard-hitting tackler, who still needs to develop his pass-rushing technique. The 21-year-old does have versatility in showing a capability of dropping back into coverage.
He finished his college career with 41 1/2 tackles for a loss, 21 1/2 sacks and six forced fumbles over 39 games. Parker especially excelled in his sophomore season in which he had 19 1/2 tackles for a loss, 11 sacks and set the single-season record with six forced fumbles.
“I’m a guy who’s gonna play with attitude, run to the ball, get there as fast as possible and put the pain on somebody,” Parker said. “We’re playing fast, physical football in this league, and I’m trying to bring the nasty to the defense.”
Brady had previously said wanting what had been a so-called “bend-but-don’t-break” defense under McDermott to adopt a attacking style similar to his offense.
General manager Brandon Beane was strategic by trading down three times on Thursday to add two draft picks and improve the team’s position in the middle rounds.
Buffalo entered the draft with just seven picks, and just three among the top 126 selections after trading its second-rounder to Chicago to acquire receiver DJ Moore. The Bills entered Friday with nine picks, and five among the top 126.
The additional picks benefit a Bills team seeking to retool on the fly to remain competitive. Buffalo has reached the playoffs in seven straight seasons, but fallen short of a Super Bowl berth.
The Bills currently have six picks left and are scheduled to open Saturday with the first pick of the fourth round, 101st overall. Buffalo still has depth needs at defensive tackle, safety and receiver.
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